#Hope and determination

[missmeanrobinson]

The Loneliness of Healing

When I first embarked on my healing journey, I was filled with hope and determination. I had read countless articles and self-help books, watched inspirational talks, and listened to podcasts that spoke of transformation, growth, and renewal. But amidst all the encouragement and positivity, there was one crucial aspect that no one seemed to discuss, the profound loneliness that often accompanies…

[charlotte-queen-owl]

Cumplane and their Cold Ass Big Titty Goth Wife™

🧊🥒🐹

For @xxmiserysmilesxx

[mapecl-stories]

[zodiac-monkey]

[srnileforme]

who says what? i'm not listening, my heart's too loud — Who Says (LYKN)

THAMEPO (2024-2025) | EPISODE 10

[radiance1]

The US government when multiple of their servers has been hacked and they can't find a trace of who's doing it: What is going on!?

Tucker, literally in an internet cafe sipping on some milk with what little money he had on him: Haha, lol.

---

Lex Luthor when he's told that multiple of his servers has been hacked and put into disorder with seemingly no purpose: Find whoever this is, immediately!

Eve Teschmacher: Sir, our best is unable to find whoever hacked into our servers, in fact, our attempts to stop, build up defenses or force them out, have only been met with more, chaotic files.

Lex Luthor, banging his fist on the table: What do I pay them for!? Find them immediately!

Tucker, literally in an internet cafe a few blocks away from the Lexcorp building: Get gud noobs!

---

Oracle, when her servers has been hacked by an unknown: Raises eyebrow

Oracle, when said unknown begins to mess around in her servers and basically goads her into trying them: Oh it's on.

Oracle, when she conveniently hacks into said unknown's coordinates and finds it leading to an internet cafe, to which it then gets fizzled out by the unknown: Hm. I should tell someone.

Also Oracle: However.

Tucker, chugging down his milk and booting it from the internet cafe while disconnecting from Oracle's servers and sending multiple signals to hopefully take her off his trails: shit shit shit shitshitshitshitshitshit

---

The Justice League, after noticing that Mount Justice is currently being hacked in the middle of a debriefing:

Batman and Robin fighting against the hacker, with the new addition of Oracle who just, appeared out of nowhere: Oh, I know this guy!

Batman, narrowing his eyes: Explain.

Oracle, refusing to explain but instead manages to snag the unknown's current whereabouts while simultaneously wiping said whereabouts before the unknown (Who is currently distracted by Robin and Batman) could notice, while also downloading said location to Batman's suit all at once: I think they can do that for you.

Batman, relents and flows away from the computer and walks away from the Young Justice team: Superman, with me. Red Tornado, continue the debriefing.

Tucker, currently in an internet cafe sipping on boba after acquiring some money, chewing and furiously tapping away at his PDA: ...I may have bitten off more than I can chew, here.

Tucker, looking up when someone sat down in relatively hidden (and by that he means square in the corner) booth and choking on his boba to see the Batman and Superman sitting across from his casually:

Batman, when the unknown he was looking for was literally a 14-year-old currently staring at the both of them in shock with a PDA held together by a mass amount of tape, determination and probable hope: Narrows eyes and stares at Superman.

Superman, currently ordering off of the menu: Raises hands with an innocent expression What? We're at a cafe, might as well?

Batman, staring at him for a solid few minutes, before also ordering something off of the menu:

Tucker, currently experiencing his life flashing before his eyes, but trying to play it off: Sips Boba.

(For your information by the way, Tucker got thrown to the DC universe and basically became a little shit by hacking into multiple places for literally no reason other than to have fun and fuck with people.)

[saccharineomens]

In b4 Jiji comes in and blows up in popularity, I'm a Jiji/Okarun/Momo OT3 stan 🙏

[mayasaura]

did you see te pati maori declared independence??

I DID NOT! Holy shit! Thanks for the news!

Okay, now reporting back from one research deep-dive, the recent context as I understand it is this:

Last November, a conservative right-wing Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, assumed office. He's got a lot of less than stellar right-wing policies, and that includes making cuts to the Ministry of Social Development and opposing co-governance with the Waitangi Tribunal and other Māori leadership organisations over the administering of public services such as education, health, and infrastructure. He's been openly critical of Māori seats in Parliament, though he hasn't (yet) opposed them. Over the course of his administration, there's been an initiative to omit or cut mentions of the Treaty of Waitangi, the foundational document of New Zealand that forms the basis of arguments for Māori protections, from official language.

Which brings us to yesterday, May 30th. Budget Day. The day the new administration would announce their first budget and a day of mass action for supporters of te Pāti Māori protesting the treatment of Māori under the new government. I don't have any concrete numbers, but RNZ reports thousands of protestors, while the NZ Herald estimates "tens of thousands" turning out nation-wide, and a walking protest that delayed rush-hour traffic in Auckland for hours.

You may have already guessed that the budget was Bad. As I understand it, the budget effectively cut any kind of targeted funding for Māori health or education, and decreased funding for Māori cultural festivals and celebrations. And again, I cannot stress enough how much I am not an expert on this topic, so there's probably a lot more in there I don't know about.

In response to the new budget, Māori Party MP Rawiri Waititi issued a Declaration of Independence to the New Zealand Parliament, (video of his speech in link) with the support of his fellow te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

There doesn't seem to be any concrete plan in place yet for the organisation of the new Māori parliament, but MPs Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer met with protestors to collect signatures for the Declaration, which they plan to bring to a hui taumata (meeting of congress) today, Friday, May 31st. The text of the Declaration can be found on te Pāti Māori website, in the form of a petition. You do not have to be Māori to sign, but I believe you do have to be kiwi.

[screwzara]

I've been playing crk again for like, the last month or so now

That theory about GingerBrave being the supposed wielder of light of hope and all caught my eye

So uh yeah

Does this count as an AU?

Welp, my GympieBrave AU might come back again just so these two can interact lmao XD

Mourning Despair/Ginger Cookie

MDC Doodles +Shenanigans

Design Sketches, Type & Skills

[chipsncookies]

I've been playing the arc suit stories in pokemas and I love it so much. I have to redraw this scene

[destinysbounty]

One thing that kinda chaps me about how the Ice Emperor is typically characterized by a lot of the fandom is that if you really pay attention to how he behaves in the Ice Chapter, he isn't the aggressive, confrontational villain he's often made out to be. In s11, most scenes we see of the Ice Emperor actually depict him as a very passive and sedate character, preferring to rest on his throne and contemplate rather than taking action. He never acts unless Vex implores him to do so, and even then he usually defaults to the less ruthless choice until Vex cajoles him into opting for something more brutal. The first time we see the IE defy Vex in any capacity is when he chooses to spare Lloyd rather than killing him instantly. Judging by Vex's surprise at this, and IE's unabashed trust in his advisor, I would hazard to guess this is the first time Zane has ever pushed back against one of Vex's suggestions.

This is not to say the Ice Emperor is without cruelty or brutality. He is still a very menacing presence in his own right, and he absolutely has gallons of blood on his hands. That cannot be understated. But on his own, without a wormtongue whispering in his ear, I personally think the Ice Emperor would have been...well, not necessarily a kind person, but significantly less ruthless. He's a passive and dare I say tired person who prefers to sit on his throne and wait for orders rather than taking any form of initiative on his own. He's barely even a leader or a tyrant in any true sense of the term, really -- he's just a glorified weapon Vex keeps stored on a shelf until he's needed.

This actually makes sense when you consider Zane's element. Ice is in its very nature a slow and sedate thing. Temperature is shaped by the speed and movement of particulates -- the faster molecules move, the hotter things are. Whereas when things get colder, molecules move much more slowly. (That's perhaps a bit of an oversimplification, but I'm not going to give a lecture on thermodynamics in a post about silly lego people). And the Ice Emperor...well, he's very much encased in ice. He has to physically pry himself off his throne, and the staff has long been frozen to his hand. The whole world is in a similar state as well. Entire swathes of the population have been cryogenically frozen, and the world is so cold that it's exceedingly difficult for fire to thrive. And many other fans have speculated that the reason Akita is able to look the same age despite decades passing is because Zane's corrupted ice has overwhelmed the land so profoundly that everyone is more or less frozen in time.

Ice is a slow, sedate, passive thing. It does not demand anything of you except that you cease movement. Likewise, the Ice Emperor in his truest state is a sedate, passive character, only stirred out of his meditations when Vex compels him into action.

True, he's often depicted as a generically ruthless tyrant in most iterations after s11, but those can usually be chalked up to Zane's unreliable self-perception. This is how Zane interprets his behavior as the Ice Emperor, rather than the actual reality of how he truly behaved. Zane resents that part of himself, and that resentment has warped his understanding of who the Ice Emperor truly was. Which in itself is rather tragic considering Zane's identity issues. That is to say, Zane is so terribly blinded by his trauma and self-loathing that not even he can see himself for who he truly is.

(Cough cough that one quote in Dragons Rising: "Zane had such impressive shoes to fill. No one could ever live up to him, perhaps not even Zane himself.")

Anyway, even if people disagree with this interpretation of the Ice Emperor's character, I personally find it much more compelling to view him not as a generic murderous tyrant...but as an old, tired machine who cannot conceive of his personhood outside of his own weaponization.

By extension, this actually makes Zane's post-s11 coping process a lot more complex as well. The popular narrative is that Zane needs to learn to accept that what happens wasn't his fault, that he had a whole chorus of extenuating circumstances working against him, and that it's actually quite impressive just how many things had to go wrong all at once for him to become evil. And that's fair, but I also think the truth of the matter is more complicated than that.

Zane knows, deep down, that the Ice Emperor's actions weren't his fault -- and that's exactly what terrifies him. Because if he accepts that he was little more than Vex's mindless weapon, then he has to admit that his greatest fear has come true. He spent decades as a mindless, soulless machine, only ever acting on the will of another person, all while being endlessly manipulated by a cursed artifact, rather than having any true agency of his own. When his friends tell him it wasn't his fault, it's not a comfort but rather a painful reminder of how long he spent as someone else's drone. When the people of the Never Realm forgive him and let him return home unobstructed, a part of Zane resents it because it means they, too, acknowledge his absence of free will.

In my eyes, Zane post-s11 is someone who feels that he needs to be blamed, needs to be hated and despised and shunned -- because if people hate him for what he did, then that means it really was his fault. And if it was his fault, then that means he didn't lose his free will after all. It means he didn't spend 50 years as someone else's empty plaything. It means he didn't spend more of his life as a mindless weapon than as a true person.

Yes, Zane needs to learn to stop blaming himself for the Ice Emperor's actions...but how can he let go of the blame when it's the only thing keeping him sane?

[mapecl-stories]

A Storm of Heroes: Battle for the North Sea

Skiper D. Schröder was a man who kept his composure even in the stormiest waters of life. As the head of the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons (DGzRS), he had encountered enough treacherous situations to understand that the North Sea was not merely a picturesque backdrop for idyllic coastal towns, but also a relentless and unforgiving force capable of sealing the fate of sailors in seconds.

On this fateful day, Skiper Schröder had once again assumed his duties, without realizing that he was about to face one of the most challenging trials of his life. The news of the collision between the two cargo ships, "Polesie" and "Verity," in the German Bight had reached him at the DGzRS control center, and his brow furrowed deeply as he learned the dramatic details.

Conditions out there were relentless: waves reaching up to three meters, poor visibility, and gale force six winds. Skiper Schröder knew that his crews were in a nightmare. However, he also understood that they were trained and motivated to confront any challenge. These men and women were risking their lives to save others, and that drive compelled them, even in the most adverse conditions.

"Conditions are challenging," Christian S., the DGzRS spokesperson, said as he coordinated the crews on the rescue ships. "The sea is as fierce as a beast today."

A young rescue swimmer, Max, spoke to Skiper Schröder over the radio. "Skiper, we have visual contact with a life raft. There are survivors on it, struggling through the waves."

Skiper responded, "Hold on, Max. We're almost there. You are our hope."

The search for the shipwrecked had begun, and Skiper Schröder could sense the tension in the air. Rescue ships and helicopters combed the sea, while the sonar plane searched for signs of the missing seafarers. The crews on the life-saving ships were in constant communication, coordinating their efforts and keeping hope alive.

"We must find these men, Skiper," Petra, an experienced sea rescuer, said with a trembling tone in her voice. "We cannot fail."

Skiper placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and calmly stated, "We will find them, Petra. Do not give up."

Meanwhile, divers prepared to explore the sunken ship "Verity" in the depth of 30 meters. The chance that the missing crew members were trapped inside the ship's hull existed, but the conditions were exceedingly challenging. The frigid water temperature turned the rescue operation into a race against time.

"Divers, you are our last hope," Skiper Schröder declared to the men as they prepared for their perilous mission. "Bring our seafarers back safely."

The sun had long set, and a relieved call came over the radio. "Skiper, we've found them! They are alive!"

Skiper Schröder could hear the joy in the diver's voice, and a smile spread across his face. "Well done, men. You are heroes."

Ultimately, the missing seafarers inside the sunken cargo ship "Verity" were also located and rescued. They had been trapped in a small airshaft, waiting for a miracle. Their survival appeared to defy all odds.

When they were finally saved, relief was evident in their eyes. One of them, an older seafarer named Karl, with tears in his eyes, said, "You've saved our lives; I'll never forget you."

The sunrise the next morning marked the end of this dramatic rescue mission. The DGzRS crews had triumphed over the merciless North Sea and the forces of nature. Skiper D. Schröder could take pride in his team and their dedication.

The tragic collision of the cargo ships had transformed into a story of heroes. The rescue teams had turned the impossible into reality, and the missing seafarers had been saved. This was a triumph of human will over the forces of nature, a tale of courage, determination, and teamwork that would be etched into the annals of the DGzRS. Skiper D. Schröder knew that they were ready to confront any new challenge that the unforgiving sea might throw their way.

[jorenilee]

my daughters.........

[multifandom-madne55]

You know what? Fuck lettergate. What about Max’s letters??

It’s always painting this, “Mike has secret letters for Will” that…

What about Max’s letters???

Yes, Will made something beautiful for Mike… but Max made something beautiful for every single one of her friends. I want that. That one. Give me that lettergate.

[kxsagi]

Hello! I love your work first of all, keep it up! I rarely ever requested anything on this app and I've had it for many years, but I'd like to do it now if it's not a problem🫶🏻💞

Rin, Sae, Michael, Shidou and any other characters you want with a reader who has more of a inverted triangle body shape and she's insecure about it, thinking she looks too manly. I unfortunately struggle with it, having no ass or boobies (pick a struggle💀) so I'd like to find a bit of comfort I guess. Thank you!✨️

“𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐧”

a/n: hi, thank you so much!! i can assure you pretty girl that you are still BEAUTIFUL just the way you are and i KNOW you’re fine AS HELL bc the inverted triangle body shape is so HOT??? like you look strong! (pls step on me)

ft. rin itoshi, sae itoshi, michael kaiser, ryusei shidou

🖤 rin itoshi → "my favorite shape"

rin’s not the most verbally reassuring guy, but when he notices you acting self-conscious, like tugging your shirt down or crossing your arms over your chest, he instantly picks up on it. he won’t say anything right away, but you will catch him side-eyeing you with a raised brow like, "what the hell are you doing? stop that."

he doesn’t get why you’re insecure. in his eyes, you’re perfect. he’s in awe of how strong your arms look whenever you reach for something or how your toned shoulders peek through your tank tops. you look powerful, and it’s hot as hell. 

one day, you mumble something about how you feel like you have no curves, and rin just scoffs. deadpan as hell, he says, "okay? and?" "and i look manly –" "no, you look like mine."

if you’re still self-conscious, he’ll prove you wrong by running his hands over every inch of you with deliberate slowness. 

"too manly?" his voice is low against your skin. "say that again."

it’s not teasing – it’s a dare. and judging by the way he’s practically worshipping your body, he’s got no problem with your shape. 

❤️ sae itoshi → "i’m not dating you for your ass, idiot"

sae is blunt and borderline cruel with his words, but in this case, it works in your favor. when you offhandedly make a self-deprecating comment about your body, he stares at you like you just said the dumbest shit imaginable. "what?" "i just feel like i’m kinda built like a dude, y’know –" "don’t say stupid shit."

straight-up. doesn’t even let you finish. he hates the idea of you comparing yourself to some beauty standard. 

"if you looked like anyone else, i wouldn’t want you," he states matter-of-factly, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. 

he makes a point to randomly place his hand on your lower back when walking past you or slipping his arm around your shoulders, guiding you through crowds. he wants you to feel secure in your own skin. 

one time, you joke about how you have no ass, and sae deadpans, "what the hell do i need an ass for? i’m actually a thigh guy anyway." and proceeds to grab your thigh possessively with a casual squeeze. 

💙 michael kaiser → "dangerously divine"

kaiser immediately shuts down any insecure comment you make by being outrageously flirty and smug. like, you could be frowning in the mirror, poking at your chest, and he’ll waltz up behind you and go, "huh. funny, ‘cause i see something i’d very much like to bite." 

he loves that you look different. in his eyes, it makes you ten times sexier. if you’re insecure about looking “too masculine,” he just smirks and says, "perfect. now no one will dare mess with you, and if they do? even better, ’cause i’ll wreck them for you."

honestly, kaiser brags about how hot you are. he has no shame. if you’re in public and you make a self-conscious remark, he’ll deadass loop an arm around your waist and say loud enough for everyone to hear, "i hope you all know she could kick your ass. and i’d pay good money to watch it."

his fixation on your body borders on obsessive. you’re self-conscious about your broad shoulders? well, kaiser loves running his hands over them, holding you in place when he’s kissing you. your toned arms? he’s pressing his lips against them like they’re works of art. 

"manly? please." he smirks against your skin. "if you’re manly, then i must be a real princess, huh?"

🩷 ryusei shidou → "ruin me, pretty girl"

shidou thinks you’re absolutely insane for thinking you look “too manly.” the first time you bring it up, he blinks at you like you just insulted his entire bloodline. "what the hell did you just say?"

you make some offhanded joke about having no ass or boobs, and he immediately grabs your face and pulls you into a messy kiss. like, full-on devours you. when he pulls back, he’s grinning wickedly, lips swollen and pink. "hm? what was that about being ‘manly?’"

shidou’s genuinely obsessed with your body. he doesn’t care if you don’t have traditional curves. in fact, he loves how athletic you look. 

if you’re self-conscious, he makes it his mission to hype you up, excessively. "fuckin’ hell, babe. look at you. bet you could knock me flat on my ass if you wanted.""the definition of a femme fatale, huh? shit, i might just let you ruin me."

when you feel insecure, he gets handsy. whether it’s grabbing your hips, manhandling you into his lap, or straight-up lifting you just because he can. 

shidou isn’t subtle. he’ll deliberately grope you in front of mirrors and say things like, "don’t see any ‘manly’ parts, babe. just a whole lotta ‘fuckin’ perfect.’" 

and god forbid you ever say you’re not sexy, because shidou will prove you wrong. over and over again. 

© 𝐤𝐱𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢